In San Mateo County’s Juvenile Hall, concerns have arisen over the quality and cost of meals provided to detained youth.
The Youth Services Center (YSC), a juvenile detention facility opened in September 2006, includes living units, a school, medical services, and recreational spaces. It has a capacity of 180 youth but housed an average of 64 detained youth a day in 2018.
“The food is horrible, and it’s being made at the county jail for the outrageous cost of $89 per meal,” said Johanna Rasmussen, the chair of San Mateo County’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission (JJDPC).
Since 2021, meals have been prepared off-site at the San Mateo County Jail, transported to the juvenile facility the following day, and reheated before serving.
According to In Our Care, a San Mateo nonprofit focused on juvenile justice, this change has led to numerous grievances from children regarding hunger and insufficient food portions. In some cases, medical staff have been asked to prescribe additional food, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, to address ongoing hunger complaints.
Concerns over food provisions are just one aspect of broader oversight efforts. Recently, the Juvenile Justice Commission released its annual inspection reports on juvenile facilities in the county. Responsible for safeguarding the rights and well-being of detained youth, the commission evaluates facility conditions, treatment programs, and overall youth welfare to ensure proper care and compliance with established standards.
In their annual report of the Hillcrest School in the juvenile hall for 2024, the commission noted that San Mateo’s Court and Community Schools are currently experiencing a second consecutive year without a principal. Notably, some teachers with single-subject credentials are teaching subjects outside their authorized area.
Financially, the cost of incarcerating each youth in San Mateo County is significant. According to the Board of State and Community Corrections, in 2017-2018, the annual operational cost per juvenile hall was reported at $20,294,451.
“People who spend 10 years in prison rarely come out a better person,” said Redwood City resident Ben Gross.
Addressing the food issues, Assembly Bill 802 (AB 802) has been introduced in the California Legislature. Authored by Assembly Member LaShae Sharp-Collins, this bill mandates that juvenile justice commissions in all 58 counties conduct surveys with detained youth about their experiences with food and hunger within these facilities.
As of March 10, AB 802 has been referred to the Committee on Public Safety.
“The community wants to feel safer, and they want the government to be accountable. Statistics show us that rehabilitation and restorative justice are what bring down recidivism,” said Rebecca Kieler, co-founder of In Our Care SMC. “Some of what goes on at the youth service center is what you would consider punitive punishment, not restorative rehabilitation. And that includes the food.”
W. Richwood • Mar 26, 2025 at 10:33 am
Hello, My name is Mr. Richwood and I just retired from the Youth Services Center after 21 years. Thank you for taking the time to write about the San Mateo County Youth Services Center (YSC). I am sure county residents, as well as those in individual cities, would benefit from understanding what the YSC does and how it operates.
You are correct that the new facility opened in 2006 and was designed as an open campus. At the center, there is a turf field and a basketball court where youth participate in football, soccer, basketball, and other outdoor activities, including PE during school hours. The field is surrounded by a running track, similar to those found at most high schools. The school is on-site and separate from the housing units and includes multiple classrooms, a modern gym with a full basketball or volleyball court, a weight training area, bleachers for events, and other amenities typically found in a high school. However, the photograph leading your article is of our maintenance and engineering facility, not the YSC itself.
Under California state law, the YSC does not detain youth for non-violent misdemeanor crimes. Those in our facility are detained for serious offenses. The staff and external program providers equip them with tools to successfully reintegrate into society. This is not a prison. The YSC does not punish youth; it holds them accountable and disciplines them according to state laws and regulations.
Your article appears to focus on concerns about the quality and quantity of food provided to the youth. Each individual entering the facility receives a physical examination from our medical staff, many of whom may have never had a physical or seen a doctor before. The medical team evaluates their health, including whether they are underweight or overweight. A county-licensed dietitian assesses dietary needs, and youth can request to see the dietitian at any time to discuss adjustments to their diet. The YSC accommodates dietary restrictions, religious observances—including Ramadan—and medical needs.
Meals are designed to meet the necessary caloric and nutritional intake for each youth’s age. They receive three meals a day, an evening snack, and have access to fruit and other snacks. Breakfast options may include French toast, cereal, pancakes, boiled eggs, or sausage. Lunches may feature tacos, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, or nachos. Dinners could include burritos, hot dogs, or cheeseburgers, all served with vegetables, salads, and other required food groups. Special meals are provided for holidays, including turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and pie. Additionally, external providers, including the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission (JJDPC), bring in snacks and other food items. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are available as snacks or meal alternatives. If a youth cannot eat a particular meal, staff make accommodations.
Do all youth enjoy the food? Probably not. However, many eat better and healthier here than they did at home or on the streets.
The YSC operates under Title 15 Minimum Standards for Juvenile Facilities and exceeds these requirements. The California Board of State and Community Corrections conducts compliance inspections and performs random checks annually. All grievances, including those related to food, are reviewed.
A good reporter gathers information from multiple sources, verifies accuracy, and seeks responses from all involved parties. It appears that due diligence was not fully exercised in this article. Please ensure sources are unbiased and that all relevant parties have an opportunity to contribute. If a party declines to comment, that fact should be noted.
Thank you.